We found out the scoop on Jon's military residency

The military "match" was published this morning. Jon is deferred to a civilian radiology residency. This means we will be going through the normal match with everyone else.



I happened upon an old post of Claudia's regarding if her husband had an alternative to serving the military for four years once his deferred residency ends. My understanding is that, unless he buys himself out of the contract (ie pays the military back in one lump sum - which is $100,000+) he is required by law to serve that time. Even if he fell into enough money to buy himself out, the military might still not renig on the contract. Sorry if that's disappointing news! My understanding is that the military has such a high turn over with docs getting out as soon as their time is paid back that they are always desperately needing EVERY specialty!

The military "match" was published this morning. Jon is deferred to a civilian radiology residency. This means we will be going through the normal match with everyone else.



I happened upon an old post of Claudia's regarding if her husband had an alternative to serving the military for four years once his deferred residency ends. My understanding is that, unless he buys himself out of the contract (ie pays the military back in one lump sum - which is $100,000+) he is required by law to serve that time. Even if he fell into enough money to buy himself out, the military might still not renig on the contract. Sorry if that's disappointing news! My understanding is that the military has such a high turn over with docs getting out as soon as their time is paid back that they are always desperately needing EVERY specialty!

The military "match" was published this morning. Jon is deferred to a civilian radiology residency. This means we will be going through the normal match with everyone else.



I happened upon an old post of Claudia's regarding if her husband had an alternative to serving the military for four years once his deferred residency ends. My understanding is that, unless he buys himself out of the contract (ie pays the military back in one lump sum - which is $100,000+) he is required by law to serve that time. Even if he fell into enough money to buy himself out, the military might still not renig on the contract. Sorry if that's disappointing news! My understanding is that the military has such a high turn over with docs getting out as soon as their time is paid back that they are always desperately needing EVERY specialty!

I am under the impression that your husband could be honorably discharged early if he develops a medical condition that the military doesn't accept - ie he has a heart attack or loses a leg. Being overweight will also get him discharged - but it will be a dishonorable one and ya'll might have to pay the military back, too!



What base are you guys at? Did you know that Sally and Jenn are also military medical spouses? There seems to be a growing number of us!

I am under the impression that your husband could be honorably discharged early if he develops a medical condition that the military doesn't accept - ie he has a heart attack or loses a leg. Being overweight will also get him discharged - but it will be a dishonorable one and ya'll might have to pay the military back, too!



What base are you guys at? Did you know that Sally and Jenn are also military medical spouses? There seems to be a growing number of us!

I am under the impression that your husband could be honorably discharged early if he develops a medical condition that the military doesn't accept - ie he has a heart attack or loses a leg. Being overweight will also get him discharged - but it will be a dishonorable one and ya'll might have to pay the military back, too!



What base are you guys at? Did you know that Sally and Jenn are also military medical spouses? There seems to be a growing number of us!

Are you all excited about a civilian residency? Is there a difference for Jon in terms of his later career? I am actually encouraged by the medical + military spouses..I think that you all have a lot more to deal with because of having the addition of dealing with military service.



Can I ask what the difference is in salaries for "finished" docs practicing in the military or in private practice? I have many friends who RUN like the wind away from the military when they are done...is it because of salary?



Kris

Are you all excited about a civilian residency? Is there a difference for Jon in terms of his later career? I am actually encouraged by the medical + military spouses..I think that you all have a lot more to deal with because of having the addition of dealing with military service.



Can I ask what the difference is in salaries for "finished" docs practicing in the military or in private practice? I have many friends who RUN like the wind away from the military when they are done...is it because of salary?



Kris

Are you all excited about a civilian residency? Is there a difference for Jon in terms of his later career? I am actually encouraged by the medical + military spouses..I think that you all have a lot more to deal with because of having the addition of dealing with military service.



Can I ask what the difference is in salaries for "finished" docs practicing in the military or in private practice? I have many friends who RUN like the wind away from the military when they are done...is it because of salary?



Kris

Well, we were a little disappointed. Jon's income would be higher in a military residency plus the Air Force would give us a monthly housing stipend (for rent or mortgage) AND a monthly "living" stipend (for food) AND the hours would be very, very easy (no "call" - they rotate weeks on a graveyard shift - he would be on it once a month I think). So, we are disappointed in that we think our lives will be a bit more difficult because of this. While in a civilian residency, Jon will not receive any pay for being in the reserves (like he does now). From what I understand, until his training is done, this means the military will be a virtual non-entity.



The salaries for finished docs from what I have been told are around $120,000 (for every general practitioner and specialists). This is based on rank (which they make sure all the docs get pretty good ranking) and they receive an additional lump sum every year as "special" pay for being medical officers (I have heard it is as high a lump sum as $35,000 a year). Needless to say that pay level and job security aren't too bad for a family practioner, general internist, or pediatrician. However, for the specialties and subspecialties it can be piddly to what they'd earn in the civilian world. It will be half to a quarter what my husband COULD ultimately earn IF he gets into the subspecialty he desires. So, in the case of specialists, they do seem to leave in droves once their contracts are up! In the end, though, they come out of it on top. It all balances out: you get an extremely low debt and in return you work for four years of your career in the military. You still come out a doctor and you still have all of those years of experience, you just don't have the huge debt!

Well, we were a little disappointed. Jon's income would be higher in a military residency plus the Air Force would give us a monthly housing stipend (for rent or mortgage) AND a monthly "living" stipend (for food) AND the hours would be very, very easy (no "call" - they rotate weeks on a graveyard shift - he would be on it once a month I think). So, we are disappointed in that we think our lives will be a bit more difficult because of this. While in a civilian residency, Jon will not receive any pay for being in the reserves (like he does now). From what I understand, until his training is done, this means the military will be a virtual non-entity.



The salaries for finished docs from what I have been told are around $120,000 (for every general practitioner and specialists). This is based on rank (which they make sure all the docs get pretty good ranking) and they receive an additional lump sum every year as "special" pay for being medical officers (I have heard it is as high a lump sum as $35,000 a year). Needless to say that pay level and job security aren't too bad for a family practioner, general internist, or pediatrician. However, for the specialties and subspecialties it can be piddly to what they'd earn in the civilian world. It will be half to a quarter what my husband COULD ultimately earn IF he gets into the subspecialty he desires. So, in the case of specialists, they do seem to leave in droves once their contracts are up! In the end, though, they come out of it on top. It all balances out: you get an extremely low debt and in return you work for four years of your career in the military. You still come out a doctor and you still have all of those years of experience, you just don't have the huge debt!

Well, we were a little disappointed. Jon's income would be higher in a military residency plus the Air Force would give us a monthly housing stipend (for rent or mortgage) AND a monthly "living" stipend (for food) AND the hours would be very, very easy (no "call" - they rotate weeks on a graveyard shift - he would be on it once a month I think). So, we are disappointed in that we think our lives will be a bit more difficult because of this. While in a civilian residency, Jon will not receive any pay for being in the reserves (like he does now). From what I understand, until his training is done, this means the military will be a virtual non-entity.



The salaries for finished docs from what I have been told are around $120,000 (for every general practitioner and specialists). This is based on rank (which they make sure all the docs get pretty good ranking) and they receive an additional lump sum every year as "special" pay for being medical officers (I have heard it is as high a lump sum as $35,000 a year). Needless to say that pay level and job security aren't too bad for a family practioner, general internist, or pediatrician. However, for the specialties and subspecialties it can be piddly to what they'd earn in the civilian world. It will be half to a quarter what my husband COULD ultimately earn IF he gets into the subspecialty he desires. So, in the case of specialists, they do seem to leave in droves once their contracts are up! In the end, though, they come out of it on top. It all balances out: you get an extremely low debt and in return you work for four years of your career in the military. You still come out a doctor and you still have all of those years of experience, you just don't have the huge debt!

Why doesn't the military pay a stipend while he is inresidency? We have some friends that are going that route....getting money from Uncle Sam during Residency and then are obligated for 4 years...could you all do that as well and then just have a longer obligation?



Well, I grew up military...my dad was in the Army..and I know that it doesn't always make sense.



I was surprised by how high the salaries were though...they were very competetive to the current private market for generalists as salaries have dropped.



If you are willing to live abroad though for a few years as a civilian the miliatary is eager to pay bigger bucks though. We considered going to Heidelberg for 3 years as civilians and it would have been pretty lucrative....they are desperate for docs overseas.



You will be going through the match then? It will be fun, Jennifer...there is a bit of a feeling of "adventure" to it all.



Kris

Why doesn't the military pay a stipend while he is inresidency? We have some friends that are going that route....getting money from Uncle Sam during Residency and then are obligated for 4 years...could you all do that as well and then just have a longer obligation?



Well, I grew up military...my dad was in the Army..and I know that it doesn't always make sense.



I was surprised by how high the salaries were though...they were very competetive to the current private market for generalists as salaries have dropped.



If you are willing to live abroad though for a few years as a civilian the miliatary is eager to pay bigger bucks though. We considered going to Heidelberg for 3 years as civilians and it would have been pretty lucrative....they are desperate for docs overseas.



You will be going through the match then? It will be fun, Jennifer...there is a bit of a feeling of "adventure" to it all.



Kris

Why doesn't the military pay a stipend while he is inresidency? We have some friends that are going that route....getting money from Uncle Sam during Residency and then are obligated for 4 years...could you all do that as well and then just have a longer obligation?



Well, I grew up military...my dad was in the Army..and I know that it doesn't always make sense.



I was surprised by how high the salaries were though...they were very competetive to the current private market for generalists as salaries have dropped.



If you are willing to live abroad though for a few years as a civilian the miliatary is eager to pay bigger bucks though. We considered going to Heidelberg for 3 years as civilians and it would have been pretty lucrative....they are desperate for docs overseas.



You will be going through the match then? It will be fun, Jennifer...there is a bit of a feeling of "adventure" to it all.



Kris